Dina Manzo Begins Filming New Series Tainted Dreams

08/08/2013 09:24

Dina Manzo Begins Filming New Series “Tainted Dreams”

TOTOWA, New Jersey, August 7, 2013 – Glamorous host of HGTV's "Dina's Party" and former star of BRAVO’S “Real Housewives of New Jersey,” Dina Manzo will film her first scenes August 8 as a member of the cast of NYC Brand Production's first, scripted dramedy, "Tainted Dreams,” which promises to realistically explore the drama behind the drama. “Tainted Dreams” chronicles the behind-the-scenes experiences of the closely intertwined cast and crew involved in the production of 5-day a week televised soap opera.

No stranger to the real-life drama occurring behind-the-scenes of a TV show, Manzo plays “Alessandra DiGiacomo,” a smart, successful NYC corporate CEO whose younger gay brother, a production assistant on a daily New York-based drama, faces prejudice and peril because of his sexuality. The character of “Alessandra” hails from a large Italian family whom she loves, but with whose constant over-involvement in her life, she struggles. Famed, award-winning actor Colleen Zenk, who just completed a successful run in the role of “Tallulah Bankhead” in “Looped” at the prestigious Stageworks/Hudson Theatre in Hudson, NY and best known as "Barbara Ryan" from the iconic daytime drama “As the World Turns," plays Manzo’s mother, “Sofia.” Manzo’s real-life friend, Staten Island playwright and three-time Emmy winner, Anthony Wilkinson plays her brother in the new series.

According to co-star Anthony Wilkinson, “I met Dina when I was a production assistant at ABC’s ‘One Life to Live,’ and we became fast-friends. She has been one of my strongest supporters over the years. Dina is a strong advocate for gay rights, and she served as a producer of my long-running Off-Broadway play, ‘My Big Gay Italian Wedding’ years before anyone ever dreamed marriage equality was possible. Dina is a beautiful, loyal person inside and out.” Wilkinson also reveals, “Dina is a long-time soap fan, and I believe Dina’s always secretly dreamed of being a ‘soap star.’ I think this role in ‘Tainted Dreams’ has come at a perfect, transitional time for Dina, and I can’t wait to see her tackle scripted drama. I know Dina will be fantastic.”

Manzo’s scenes will be taped at the Sushi Lounge in Totowa, New Jersey August 8. “Tainted Dreams” began its two-week shoot July 29 and has filmed in studio and on location throughout New York City and Northern New Jersey.

Distribution details and a premiere date for "Tainted Dreams" are not yet finalized, but post-production work on the first season of the series should be completed by late Fall.